Schleck positive confirmed

Frank Schleck's B sample has confirmed that he tested positive for the diuretic Xipamide during the Tour de France.

Last Updated: 20/07/12 4:42pm

frank Schleck: Insists he is innocent after B sample was also positive

Frank Schleck's B sample has confirmed that the RadioShack-Nissan rider tested positive for the diuretic Xipamide during the Tour de France.

But the 32-year-old, who was pulled from the race by his team after the failed control, still maintains that he has done nothing wrong.

Xipamide is classed a "specified substance" and does not require a provisional suspension, with bans for such substances often being shorter than for other drugs on the banned list.

"Today (Friday) I witnessed the analysis of the B-sample. The result of the counter test was positive but for me nothing changes: I just know that I did nothing wrong," Schleck said in a statement.

"I will therefore continue my search to find out how the substance could have entered my body.

"At the moment we are analysing minute by minute what exactly I have been doing, eating, drinking on the days before the control and on the 14th of July itself, whom I met, what materials I came in contact with, what nutritional supplements I took.

"The medical world states that this product, when performing in extreme conditions such as in a cycling tour, is very dangerous; it can even cause death.

"Therefore I really need to find the cause that clarifies how this product ended up in my system.

"Since I didn't take anything, I assume it must have been given to me by someone, or it could have happened through an accidental contamination, or it could be caused by something that is not yet known to me since we are still undertaking a number of analyses."

Schleck finished third in last year's Tour and has claimed two other top-five finishes in the race, as well as winning two mountain stages.